Michael Arnold is Chair of the firm's Employment, Labor & Benefits Practice. He is an employment lawyer who deftly handles a wide array of matters. His capabilities include counseling on everyday HR life cycle issues, defending management and senior executives in connection with employment-related proceedings, and assisting companies navigate the complex employment issues that arise in transactions. Michael’s clients appreciate his strong emphasis on providing not just legal advice, but also practical advice, that aligns with organizational and HR strategies while reducing exposure. He also prides himself on being user-friendly, responsive, and strategic.
When Michael is not with a client, he’s out there leading the Firm’s Employment, Labor and Benefits Section. He is still quite active blogging for Mintz’s award-winning Employment Matters Blog, where he currently serves as an Editor and where he’s twice been named a top author by JD Supra (2016 and 2017). His peers seem to like him too as they have recognized him consistently; first he was included on the New York Super Lawyers Rising Star List in 2012 and then included among the New York Super Lawyers List from 2013 through the present.
More specifically, here is what Michael is practicing on a day to day basis:
- Counseling on issues related to the HR life cycle (recruiting, staffing, performance, including evaluations and PIPs; engagement, retention, separation, including reduction in force; post-separation, including employee mobility issues), and compliance with discrimination, wage and hour, family and medical leave, workers’ compensation and disability, and other employment laws and regulations.
- Investigating and reporting on employee complaints, including sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, and assisting management resolve other employee relations issues.
- Conducting anti-discrimination/harassment and other HR and legal issue-based training seminars regarding legal requirements, best practices, and risk mitigation.
- Auditing and assisting in the development and implementation of employment policies, procedures, and practices.
- Representing management and senior executives in connection with a variety of complex employment litigation matters, including pre-trial, trial and appellate work; administrative discrimination charges and other agency proceedings (including EEOC, NYSDHR, NYCCHR, DOL, WCB); and arbitrations and mediations relating to wage and hour, discrimination, restrictive covenants, contract, and other employment-related disputes, including collective and class actions.
- Drafting and negotiating employment-related agreements and policies, including offer letters, employment and consulting agreements, restrictive covenant agreements, separation agreements, and employee-related regulatory disclosures.
- Representing clients in connection with corporate transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, including conducting employment-related due diligence and negotiating employment-related warrants and representations and related employment transaction documents.
More Legal and Business Bylines From Michael S. Arnold
- EEOC Updates Religious Accommodation and Vaccine Mandate Guidance - (Posted On Thursday, October 28, 2021)
- Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury Clarify Rules Governing Premium Surcharges/Discounts Related to COVID-19 Vaccinations - (Posted On Wednesday, October 13, 2021)
- Imposing Group Health Plan Monthly Surcharges on the Unvaccinated - (Posted On Thursday, September 16, 2021)
- Biden Administration Unveils Sweeping Workplace Vaccination Plan - (Posted On Friday, September 10, 2021)
- NY HERO Act Plans ACTIVATED – Employer Action Required - (Posted On Friday, September 10, 2021)
- NYCCHR Releases Updated Fair Chance Act Guidance Ahead of Important Changes - (Posted On Tuesday, July 27, 2021)
- NY HERO Act Standards & Template Policies Released – Employer Action Required - (Posted On Thursday, July 08, 2021)
- ALERT: New York Hits Key 70% Vaccination Metric; Reopening Rules Lifted - (Posted On Tuesday, June 15, 2021)
- New York Revises COVID-19 Reopening Guidance & HERO Act Changes on the Way - (Posted On Thursday, June 10, 2021)
- Have You Been Vaccinated? Your Employer (and Everyone Else) Wants to Know - (Posted On Tuesday, May 18, 2021)